"The Hex Food World is ahead. Just a reminder, the appearance of people in our Hex Food World may be a little scary."
On the way to the Hex Food World, Brunch reminded everyone again that Zed and his companions had brought the Seven-Colored Fish—a distinguished guest of the Hex Food World. Brunch could not afford to neglect such a precious offering. The group nodded in acknowledgment; after all, they had already seen glimpses of Brunch's incredibly imposing form and were mentally braced for what lay ahead.
Soon, the group arrived at the entrance to the Hex Food World. The architecture felt old with cracked stone walls, thatched roofs patched with moss, and wooden beams darkened by age. However, these structures were not the focal point: it was the people who inhabited this realm that truly set hearts racing.
Their unfamiliarity took Mirajane aback, while Rukia, Erina, and Hisako recognised many figures from the depictions in Japanese comics. They did not vocalize their shock—after all, it would be impolite to stare and comment on someone's appearance so bluntly. Still, their expressions betrayed fascination and unease.
When they reached the outer area of the Hex Food World, a host of monstrous sentries—camping beasts with scaled hides and glowing eyes—stood guard. Brunch led the group past them, stepping confidently onto the uneven cobblestones.
"Welcome back, Brunch. Are these guests from the human world?" called a wiry local with horn-like protrusions on his head. He studied Zed and the others with keen curiosity. In this realm, a typical human appearance instantly marked someone as an outsider.
"Yes, I'm back," Brunch replied. "I've brought a few guests to meet the village chief." His tone was curt, but there was no mistaking the respect he held for Zed's party due to the Seven-Colored Fish in their possession made them invaluable.
As they walked, Zed took note of how unsettling the Hex Food World could be. The locals wore patchwork garments woven from animal hides and carried bone-crafted tools. Even the street vendors sold ingredients that seemed unique and weird.
Yet these were, in fact, relatively ordinary ingredients—if one ignored their unsettling appearance. Zed reminded himself to remain composed. He had seen far stranger things on his journey. Around him, the ambient sounds were a mixture of rough laughter, clattering pots, and distant guttural roars.
Brunch noticed a few locals near the walkway staring too intently at Zed and his companions. He scowled and snapped his fingers. "What are you looking at? It's impolite to stare at guests." The onlookers immediately shifted their gazes, though they continued to whisper among themselves, puzzled by Brunch's unusual behavior.
Zed understood Brunch's reaction. He had promised the Seven-Colored Fish to the Hex Food World; losing favor could endanger the rare creature. He gave Brunch a thankful nod as the chef led them onward.
They soon found the Daruma Hermit—a massive, human. Though imposing, his face held a kindly expression. Brunch approached him respectfully. "Uncle, I have returned with our guests."
"Good, good," the Daruma Hermit rumbled, his deep voice resonating through the air. He bowed slightly. "Welcome, guests from the human world. I am the village chief of the Hex Food World."
"Uncle, these people are our honored guests," Brunch reminded him, explaining about the Seven-Colored Fish they had brought along.
"What Seven-Colored Fish? And you intend to gift us some?" the Daruma Hermit's eyes gleamed. He understood the value immediately: this was an amulet of sorts in the Gourmet world. So long as one did not provoke the Eight Kings, possessing the Seven-Colored Fish meant walking safe and secure. This gift would greatly benefit the Hex Food World.
Brunch nodded. "Yes, they are our guests. Please do not underestimate them."
"You must rest," the Daruma Hermit said, shifting his body. "I will leave you in Brunch's capable hands as your guide and host."
Brunch bowed. "Don't worry. I will see to our guests' every need."
With a flourish of space magic, Zed transferred the Seven-Colored Fish and its ornate tank directly to Brunch. The large glass container shimmered as it appeared from the ether.
"These are the Seven-Colored Fish—so enchanting," the Daruma Hermit whispered in awe, kneeling to catch a better glimpse. "Come, everyone! Let us proceed to my personal restaurant. Supper awaits!" Brunch, eager to showcase his culinary skills, led the group out.
Even Erina—who prided herself on her refined taste—could not hide her hesitation. "I hope the ingredients here aren't too… unusual. Although I know they are normal by local standards, the visuals can be quite off-putting."
Everyone murmured agreement. Earlier, they had seen grotesque ingredients—poultry with scales, glowing fungi dripping with sap—and found themselves repulsed.
"Do not fear," Brunch reassured her, stepping through a carved wooden gate into Tengu Castle. "But first, feast on what we caught before."
Zed produced a small, golden canister from his robes. "I found this in the Swamp Maze," he explained. "It made me quite happy when I discovered it."
Mirajane leaned forward, recalling how Zed's eyes had sparkled upon finding the canister. "You were elated at that moment!"
Zed smiled. "You observed correctly. This is no ordinary ingredient. There is only one such Ougai in the entire world. In terms of rarity, it surpasses even the ingredients of Earth's Full Meal Menu."
Everyone leaned closer, intrigued. They knew the Earth's Full Meal Menu referred to the eight most precious ingredients on Earth, each associated with greatness. Yet Zed claimed his Ougai was even rarer.
"This Ougai's exterior serves as space equipment," Zed continued. "However, it is not very practical. Its opening is minuscule, lacking any internal expansion like immortal-space vessels. Once something goes in, it could be buried forever in the Ougai's own meat, which fills its interior. This Shell has devoured entire ancient oceans, and the volume of meat it stores is astounding. Anything we store alongside that meat risks being inedible."
Brunch, fascinated, pressed his chin. "So what use does the Ougai provide?"
Zed shook his head. "I do not desire a storage device. I have my system space for that. What I truly want is the meat itself…."
"Hearing it is even rarer than Acacia's Full Meal ingredients—what could this possibly be?" someone whispered among the group.
Zed tapped the canister's side. "This Ougai was sealed by the Nitro. I happen to be the only one who has it."
"Ougai?" the Daruma Hermit exclaimed. "A strange name. Please open it!"
Zed shook his head. "The can's material is unique—gold alloy gathered from the Seven Beasts of the Sixth Continent. It is extremely hard and impervious to time. To break it, one must be stronger than those Seven Beasts, whose average Capture Levels exceed 4,000. Even I cannot open it by force."
Mirajane's eyes widened in disbelief. "Zed, with your strength, you still can't open a can?!"
Zed offered a rueful shrug. Then, with a simple gesture, he activated space magic, and the Ougai emerged intact from the can. Brunch and the kitchen staff gasped at the eerie artifact.
"It seems small," Rukia observed. "The pattern on its shell resembles the face of an evil ghost. That must be why it is called a Ougai."
"Correct," Zed confirmed. He reached into the shell with the translucent glow of his soul power and began to extract the meat. A thick, sausage-like strand unfurled—over ten meters long—each segment subtly shifting color, indicating different tastes and textures. It was as if the essence of countless creatures the Ougai had consumed over eons had been transmuted into this single ingredient.
"This meat can awaken one's Gourmet Demon just by scent," Zed added quietly.
"How is so much meat stored inside? It smells incredible!" Erina's eyes glowed at the savory aroma that filled the courtyard. Even Brunch—busy arranging ingredients in the kitchen—paused to breathe in the fragrance, a heady blend of aged umami and subtle sweetness that reminded them of well-cured ham.
"This space within the Ougai is real," Zed explained, "but its primary function is the meat. Let us taste it. If all goes well, this meat will activate everyone's Gourmet Cells, and the enhancement to your abilities will be tremendous."
Zed handed out small slices of the raw Ougai meat. The others hesitated briefly before tasting. At first bite, an explosion of flavors—rich, layered notes of seafood, game, and wild herbs—erupted on their tongues. Before they could analyze further, their Gourmet Cells awakened in a surge of energy. From above Tengu castle, five colossal silhouettes—Gourmet Demons—materialized: Gourmet Demon of swirling aura, each more terrifying than the last.
Zed recognized them as projections of his own Gourmet Demons. He had reshaped his Leader Slime into forms the others could not immediately identify. Still, the aura they radiated caused every denizen in the Hex Food World to stop what they were doing and stare skyward in shock and fear.